Original .45-90 WCF High Velocity load

[Mike D.]

I am trying to duplicate the original Winchester High Velocity load for the .45-90 using modern powders. What is the best powder that has the burn characteristics of the old Dupont smokeless used in the 1910s?

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Did that original load use a 300 grain hollow point?

[Mike D.]

I believe that it was a 300 gr jacketed bullet at 2200 FPS. I'm working on a fast load for the 250 Barnes TSX. 2000 FPS is cake, and I have loaded up to 2500. The old '86 barks from both ends.

[Sixgun]

Mike,
I have an old atricle by Frank Marshall that says the old 45-90 Hi-Vel load was only 1650 fps. He says it was kept that way because of the old BP guns. He goes on to say the 45-70 load was 1800. It don't make sense to me.

I had a couple of boxes of the Winchester yellow label 45-70 Hi-Vel stuff. Took an offer and sold it---bought an OM Ruger with the proceeds.

I believe they used the old Lightning powder. If Jack Kort comes along, he can verify this.

In my extra lightweight 45-90's, I use a 325 grain Rapine gas checked bullet with 34 grains of AA 5744. It chronos at 1565. It barks a bit out of the 7 lb rifle.-----Sixgun

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Does that mean you're going to use the Barnes 300 grain TSX FP or are you going to go with jacketed lead ... the Hornady or Nosler in 300 grain?

[madman4570]

Mike,might be skewed off topic a touch? but what I thought was very interesting going back to the American Rifleman Mag (November 1950)
Was the Load they stated for the 45-70 which could be fired in a 45-90(kinda like the .22 short/.22 Long Rifle sceniro.
They called this their special for the 1886 Winchester.
A (.458)405grain Remington SP seated .55" in a Western case with 27.4 grs of #2400 powder and using a West 8 1/2 Lot#primer

This load yielded 1827fps with only 21,460 Pressure(that amazes me)

I thought this was extremely low pressure given fact of driving a 405gr Rem SP bullet 1827fps
I just thought for a 45-90WCF rifle that can handle that small pressure kind of neat to have that info!

As with anything verify as correct before trying it.

[Mike D.]

I'm loading the 250 Barnes TSX in front of 51 grs RL7. It's a good load for the 22" EL .45-90. Velocity is 2050 FPS, with POA at 100 yds 3" high. At 200 yds it's only the same low, so that should be enough for the 150 lb Blacktails out here.

[madman4570]

That will do Mike!
Stunning gun!

[RDB]

I've shot lots of 300g gas checks and 3031 from my 45/90 at 2200fps which I think was a Winchester HV load at one time ...but too lazy to look it up. May be it was just one of Williamson's hot 45/90 loads.

Either way that is what the chrono from my 22" 45/90 short rifle.